AN entrepreneur's plans to build an exhibition centre to rival some of the largest in the region go before councillors in the next few weeks.

Businessman Simon Boak believes the centre, on the Malton Road showground in Pickering, could generate significant extra trade for the district.

The proposals have the backing of the Yorkshire Tourist Board and Mr Boak believes they could help extend the tourism season in Ryedale into winter.

He said: "I have been organising rallies and exhibitions in Pickering and across the country for more than 25 years.

"It has become increasingly difficult to find venues for these.

"Venues such as the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate are often booked up.

"The showground is an ideal location for an exhibition centre. It would give a great boost to the local economy. It is already used for commercial purposes so it would not be a new development."

A study by his company estimated that about £1m in additional revenue could be generated for traders.

Mr Boak said: "The hope is that because the facility is indoors we will be able to attract visitors to events during winter when things slow down."

The building would be 4,000 square metres, similar in size to an older centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

John Farquhar, for the Ryedale branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, said it would object.

He said: "We are concerned that this is a development which will take place on open space. We are also concerned that traffic volumes will be significantly increased by this development."

The planning application will go before Ryedale district councillors when they meet in June.